
In Japan, not only is sliced salmon a dinnertime staple, but it’s a cute mascot and candy too. And salmon also has one other crazy property that sets it apart from all other fish: it can still swim around even after it’s been sliced into cutlets. Apparently…
But while all of us adults know that’s not possible, some kids might not, and one Japanese television show decided to do an experiment to see how kids would react to swimming cuts of cooked salmon. Do the kids know where the fish on their plate actually comes from? Watch the video to find out!
On September 6, the Japanese television show Souda, Sakanaya-san e Ikou! (Yeah, Let’s Go to the Fish Market!) took to the aquarium to see if kids would understand that what they eat on their plate doesn’t look the same as what swims in the ocean. The show usually focuses on educating the public about fish in a fun, variety show-type way, but this time they decided to just go for a good old-fashioned prank.
Why would they do this? Perhaps fish literacy in Japan is dwindling as more and more land animals make their way onto the Japanese dinner table. Or perhaps just because they knew it would be hilarious, as you can see in the video here:
▼ The video begins with a child’s misinformed interpretation of fish swimming in the ocean.
▼ There’s something mysterious going on here….
▼ What is it? What’s everyone looking at?
▼ Come on! I can’t take the suspense anymore!
▼ Oh…. Oh my god, my whole life has been a lie!
▼ You can say that again, girl! I’m with you.
▼ It… it has a mouth too? Is this even real? It can’t possibly be-
▼ Phew! You really had me going for a second there.
▼ Yes, let’s learn more about fish! Will there be free samples?
I can’t help but wonder what actually was inside the salmon slices to make them swim around like that. Were there tiny motors? Were smaller fish wearing them as costumes? I’d love to watch a whole video just to see how these “fish” work.
When did you learn where food comes from when you were a kid? Did you imagine tuna fish sandwiches swimming under the sea? Or bologna slices living happily on a farm? Let us know in the comments!
Images: YouTube (SBS Shizuoka Housou)
[ Read in Japanese ]









New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Burger King offers every fast food franchisee in Japan 40M yen to jump ship and join them
Japanese-style afternoon tea in this Japanese manor house outside downtown Tokyo is something special
Shinkansen operator apologizes for three-minute delay because conductor was napping
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Burger King offers every fast food franchisee in Japan 40M yen to jump ship and join them
Japanese-style afternoon tea in this Japanese manor house outside downtown Tokyo is something special
Shinkansen operator apologizes for three-minute delay because conductor was napping
Does a long line mean a sweeter deal? We compare two sweets from a Hokkaido food fair【Taste test】
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Does this egg timer from Japanese 100-yen store Daiso really work?
No-bus Kyoto sightseeing! SoraNews24’s ultimate on-foot guide for Japan’s former capital【Part 1】
Visiting Tokyo’s newest unmanned Self Cafe in Shibuya
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Pikachu to cuddle with kimono-clad beauty on Tokyo street as part of flower art event
Pokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Studio Ghibli croquettes not to eat, but to keep your stuff in, going on sale in Japan[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Does a long line mean a sweeter deal? We compare two sweets from a Hokkaido food fair【Taste test】
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Does this egg timer from Japanese 100-yen store Daiso really work?
No-bus Kyoto sightseeing! SoraNews24’s ultimate on-foot guide for Japan’s former capital【Part 1】
Visiting Tokyo’s newest unmanned Self Cafe in Shibuya
Does this video about an abandoned dog leave you wiping your eyes or shaking your fist?
First Shiba Inu police dog in Japan’s Gifu Prefecture now on duty[Video]
Believe it! Naruto live-action stage play returns, shows off huge new cast and costumes【Photos】
Coordinating a whole outfit with nothing but clothes from Japanese convenience store Family Mart
Studio Ghibli announces first new short anime film in 8 years, exclusive to Ghibli Park
Ghibli Museum building becomes a cuddly cushion
You can now visit a recreation of Evangelion’s Tokyo-3 and live there in miniature form in【Pics】
Nissin Donbei to sell Classic line of instant udon and soba noodles for its 50th anniversary